As regards is a common phrase in the English language, used to introduce or refer to a particular topic. It is spelled as /əz rɪˈɡɑrdz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "as," is pronounced with a schwa sound. The "regards" part is pronounced with stress on the second syllable, and the "r" is pronounced as a consonant sound. In written form, this phrase can sometimes cause confusion for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with the spelling.
The phrase "as regards" is a compound preposition formed by combining the word "as", which has Old English origins, and the noun "regard", which comes from the medieval French word "regarder", meaning "to look at". "As regards" originated around the 18th century and is commonly used in English to introduce a topic or in reference to something.